Deadline: March 19, 2026
The European Cross-border Grants 2026 programme provides funding to support high-quality investigative journalism carried out through cross-border collaboration across Europe. The initiative is designed to strengthen independent journalism by enabling journalists and news organisations to work together on in-depth investigations that address issues of public interest affecting European audiences.
The European Cross-border Grants 2026 respond to the growing need for collaborative reporting that transcends national boundaries, encourages shared expertise, and amplifies impactful journalism across multiple countries.
Overview of the European Cross-border Grants 2026
The European Cross-border Grants programme supports investigative journalism projects that involve journalists and media outlets working collaboratively across at least two European countries. The focus is on original, in-depth investigations that would be difficult to undertake without international cooperation.
The programme encourages innovative journalistic approaches, strong editorial independence, and investigations that contribute meaningfully to public debate across Europe.
Funding Details
- Total funding available: €1,120,000
- Funding structure: The total budget is distributed across multiple calls throughout 2026
- Indicative allocation: Approximately €280,000 per call
Funding is awarded competitively, with multiple projects supported in each round based on merit, feasibility, and cross-border relevance.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Applications must be submitted by cross-border teams
- Each team must include at least two professional journalists and/or independent news outlets
- Team members must be based in at least two different European countries
- A minimum of 80% of the requested budget must be allocated to participants from European Union countries
- External collaborators from outside the EU may be included when relevant to the investigation
Both freelance journalists and media organisations are eligible, provided they can demonstrate professional journalistic experience.
Eligible Projects
Projects supported under the European Cross-border Grants 2026 must:
- Focus on investigative journalism with clear public interest value
- Be original and unpublished at the time of application
- Demonstrate strong cross-border collaboration, not parallel reporting
- Show relevance to European audiences
- Present a clear investigative methodology and editorial plan
Selected projects often receive not only financial support but also editorial feedback and expert guidance to strengthen the quality and impact of the investigation.
What the Grant Covers
The grant can be used to cover project-related costs, including:
- Research and reporting expenses
- Travel and accommodation
- Translation and transcription services
- Data access and documentation costs
The funding does not typically cover fixed organisational overheads or major equipment purchases.
Application Deadlines
- Next application deadline: 19 March 2026 (13:00 CET)
Additional calls are scheduled throughout 2026, with further application rounds planned in subsequent months and extending into 2027.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early and plan projects that align with the programme’s cross-border investigative focus.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the official application platform managed by the programme administrators. Applicants are required to submit:
- A detailed project proposal
- A clear cross-border collaboration plan
- A realistic and compliant project budget
- Supporting documentation demonstrating journalistic experience
Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Why Apply for the European Cross-border Grants 2026?
The European Cross-border Grants 2026 offer journalists the opportunity to:
- Secure funding for complex investigative projects
- Collaborate with international peers
- Increase the reach and impact of investigative reporting
- Strengthen journalistic quality through expert review
This programme is ideal for journalists committed to accountability, transparency, and cross-border storytelling.
Need Support with Your Application?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review to improve the strength, clarity, and competitiveness of your application.
